Guinea-Bissau’s main opposition party, the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), has called for the immediate and unconditional release of its leader, Domingos Simões Pereira, describing his detention as politically motivated.
In a seven-point resolution, the party condemned what it called political and judicial persecution and urged authorities to release the former prime minister, who was placed in pretrial detention on July 10 by a military court over an alleged coup plot. Pereira denies the charges, while his lawyers argue the military court lacks jurisdiction.
The PAIGC also called on the African Union and ECOWAS to continue monitoring the country’s political situation and urged the military authorities to engage in dialogue with political stakeholders to restore constitutional order.
The party encouraged citizens to remain committed to defending democracy and the rule of law.
The appeal comes as Guinea-Bissau’s transitional authorities prepare for an August 30 constitutional referendum, a process that has been challenged by opposition groups amid the country’s ongoing political crisis.
